with Oregon and Auburn University facing off in the Advocare Classic, a rematch of the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. Oregon led for much of the game, but was unable to hold off a late Auburn rally, losing 27–21. The Ducks bounced back from the disappointing start, winning nine consecutive games and rising to number 6 in national polls, before losing on the road to Arizona State, 31–28. Oregon closed its regular season with a victory over rival Oregon State and won the Pac-12 North division for the first time in five seasons. In the Pac-12 Championship Game, they defeated the favored Utah Utes 37–15. The win earned them a trip to the 2020 Rose Bowl Game, where they defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 28–27. Oregon finished the season ranked fifth in the AP and Coaches Polls, for their best finish since the 2014 season. In the 2020 season, the Ducks and college football at large were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Oregon ultimately played a shortened, conference-only season, going 3–2 but earning a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game due to tie-breakers and forfeits. The Ducks again upset the favored South division champions, this time the USC Trojans, and won the conference championship 31–24. The Ducks were selected to play in the Fiesta Bowl, but fell to Iowa State, 34-17. In 2021, the first full season since the pandemic started, the Ducks started the season 4–0 and rising to number 3 in national polls with a win over then number 3 Ohio State before losing to Stanford, 31–24. Oregon won the Pac-12 North Division but lost in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah. Their 10–3 record earned them a game against Oklahoma in the 2021 Valero Alamo Bowl, where they lost 32–47. Oregon finished the 2021 season 10–4. On December 6, 2021, Cristobal announced to the team that he would leave the program in order to become the head coach at the University of Miami, eventually finishing his tenure. Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead also left to be the head coach at Akron. Dan Lanning era (2022–present) On December 11, 2021, Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning was named the 35th head coach at the University of Oregon, replacing Mario Cristobal after his departure to become the head coach at the University of Miami. Despite no prior head coaching experience, Lanning arrived in Eugene with a reputation as a great defensive coach